Life-changing lessons from 2024

Mradul Sharma
January 21, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Let’s reflect on 2024 and give my 2025 self some lessons (which you can take advantage of ;)

Consistency Over Perfectionism
I struggled a lot with posting YouTube videos because I wanted them to be perfect. This led to not uploading anything for two months. I’m not doing that again. If it’s 80% done, I’ll post it.
Routine Is More Important Than You Think
In 2024, I traveled a lot, which isn’t bad in itself, but it disturbed my routine. Coming back from trips was tough, and it became harder to get back on track. I started using trips as an escape from routine and hard work, which led to losses in the company and inconsistency on YouTube. My goal in 2025 is to stick to my routine until I achieve a defined goal—like building my content bucket and hitting $10k/month through the agency. Until I hit that, no big trips or consciously breaking the routine.
Flow Is the Secret Sauce
I experienced the flow state many times in 2024, and I’m bringing that into 2025 with even more intensity. Flow is that state where you’re completely immersed in your work, forgetting about everything else (like the movie Limitless). Once you get into flow, you won’t want to work outside of it.
Emergency Funds and Savings Are Lifesavers
I faced a loss of 5.5 lakh MRR in December, and our agency went back to zero revenue. But my emergency fund and savings saved me. I moved to Delhi in January 2024, and to survive here, I needed some savings. If I hadn’t had them, I’d have to go back to my hometown. I also spent a lot of money on random things that I could’ve saved. So, the lesson here is to not spend mindlessly and save up majority of the funds.
Travel Gives New Perspectives
I can talk about this all day. Even though I traveled to escape work, I still learned a lot. You meet new people, gain new experiences, and if you like to journal and reflect, travel gives you a lot of time to explore your thoughts and perspectives. I love writing and doing critical thinking, and solo traveling helped me do that.
No Impulsive Decisions
I made a lot of impulsive decisions in 2024, and I don’t want to repeat that in 2025. Think before you say anything, buy anything, or promise anything. Words have power, and that power can either help or destroy you.
Chase Clarity and Question Everything
Writing my weekly newsletter has been about gaining clarity and direction. In 2024, I wrote a lot and questioned a lot of things, which brought me clarity. I’m going to continue doing this in 2025—daily or weekly. Reflecting and questioning even the small things helps bring clarity to the bigger ones. I was unclear about my YouTube goal in 2024; now it’s clear. It took me a whole year to figure it out. The same goes for my agency. Slowly, I’m bringing clarity to everything, and that starts by asking: Why am I doing this?
If It Feels Right and Aligns with Your Goals, Do It
I’m an intuitive person, and sometimes logic doesn’t guide me. I’ve made big decisions based on gut feeling alone, like when I started Akimafilms.com. I could have hired editors for myself and increased my profits but I felt like building an agency would be right, logically, it didn’t make sense, but it felt right. In 2023, I left my job despite having a stable income because I didn’t feel fulfilled (And I was left jobless for 3 months). Not everything needs to make sense. Sometimes, trust your gut and take the leap—while still including logic and calculating risks.
Money Has Power—Don’t Flaunt It
2024 was my best financial year so far, but it came with an ego boost. I started to feel like I could buy whatever I wanted and flex in front of people. This was unconscious, but I didn’t like it. I also exposed my income on YouTube which drove views, but those views came because of the number I showed and I don’t want an audience that values me because of the money. Moving forward, I’ll never disclose my income publicly. (Yes, Never)
Alone Time Is Important
I overlooked this in 2024, but later in the year, I realised how important it is. Walk, sit, or just lay down with no distractions—no phone, PC, or books, just a diary and your thoughts. Some of your best ideas come when you get bored. If you do it right, this will be a game changer.
Fitness Is the key
Physical, mental, and emotional fitness are all equally important. Workouts, alone time, family/friends/spouse time—do these to stay fit in all three areas.
Burnout Isn’t Real; Under-Recovery Is
I watched a video by Rian Doris where he said, “Burnout is not a thing; under-recovery is.” That hit me hard. Now, every time I work hard or overwork, I focus on recovery. You can’t keep going without recharging. Visit Rian Doris’ channel for a deeper explanation.
Do Something You Love
Not everyone is lucky enough to earn solely from their art. Some of us need something alongside it to stay creative. Even though I love making cinematic films, but since they take time, I mix in talking-head videos. To keep my spark alive, I add a touch of creativity, like different angles, B-rolls and lighting. I also started a second channel where I talk my heart out and planning to start a third one for just cinematics like Gawx 2. Writing is also a creative outlet, so I started this newsletter.
You Are Not Your Thoughts
When you’re doing something unconventional, doubts and anxiety creep in. But those are just thoughts—not who you are. Separate them from yourself, let them go, and keep working. Trust me, it’s normal to feel that way when you’re doing something others might not understand. Keep going; it’ll be worth it.
Never Stop Learning In 2024
I focused more on execution than learning, but this year, I want a balance. Never stop learning. Whether through podcasts, books, or other sources, learn something new every day.
Material Things Don’t Bring Happiness—But Some Do
I bought a bike this year, and it was the first ever gift I have ever gifted to myself to enjoy, I never gave myself a gift, just invested on assets but this bike is a sign or symbol that I have achieved something in my life to have gifted myself this, Even though this bike is a liability, it has give me a lots and lots of memories, I am happy to buy it.
Welcome Uncertainty
You will have the moments where you will feel like not doing a thing because you either fear trying it again or never have tried, doesn’t matter bro, jump right in once in a while just for the experience. I went on few unexpected trip (mostly workcations) and gained insights and memories I wouldn’t have otherwise. One of them was this trip.

I could go on with these lessons, but these are the major ones I want to carry into 2025. Let’s make it count.

Straight from Man-cave

Mradul